Texas Heat Wave Series by Julie Ortolon

In Julie Ortolon’s novel of small towns and big dreams, a devastatingly handsome anchorman thinks he has seen it all—until he rediscovers the girl next door.   Owner of the face that launched a thousand newscasts, drop-dead-gorgeous TV anchor Brent Michaels returns to his Texas hometown for a good cause: playing the bachelor in a dating game fund-raiser. He couldn’t refuse the request of his old friend Laura Beth Morgan. But Laura’s no longer the shy wallflower that he remembers... moreIn Julie Ortolon’s novel of small towns and big dreams, a devastatingly handsome anchorman thinks he has seen it all—until he rediscovers the girl next door.   Owner of the face that launched a thousand newscasts, drop-dead-gorgeous TV anchor Brent Michaels returns to his Texas hometown for a good cause: playing the bachelor in a dating game fund-raiser. He couldn’t refuse the request of his old friend Laura Beth Morgan. But Laura’s no longer the shy wallflower that he remembers. When he gets a good look at the girl he loved and lost, Brent realizes he can’t refuse her anything .   Laura yearns to break free, just as Brent did. He has come so far from the boy who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, the childhood friend who kissed her once and ran away. But even as he warns her that he’s incapable of love, Brent isn’t running now. After all these years, Laura has blossomed into a beautiful woman—and an irresistible challenge for a man who’s used to getting everything he desires. less

Once upon a time, there was a redhead named Kate Bradshaw who naively thought Happily Ever After was just a heartbeat away. One kid, one divorce, and a stack of bills later, Kate isn't necessarily a candidate for Man-Haters Anonymous, but she's not winning any points with the love-struck readers of her Dear Cupid advice column either. If she's going to keep her job, she needs a man to remind her that romance can be fun. Someone attractive. Someone easygoing... moreOnce upon a time, there was a redhead named Kate Bradshaw who naively thought Happily Ever After was just a heartbeat away. One kid, one divorce, and a stack of bills later, Kate isn't necessarily a candidate for Man-Haters Anonymous, but she's not winning any points with the love-struck readers of her Dear Cupid advice column either. If she's going to keep her job, she needs a man to remind her that romance can be fun. Someone attractive. Someone easygoing. Someone with whom she can polish her rusty flirting skills-- and absolutely nothing more. Enter Michael Cameron... One might think a drop-dead handsome movie animator would have no problem marrying himself off. As Kate soon discovers, one would be sorely mistaken. A little too attached to his shabby bachelor pad couch and rumpled Hawaiian shirts, Michael is counting on Kate to turn him into husband material and find him a wife. But little does Kate know that this is just Michael's plan to convince her to give love a second chance and to look for the future Mrs. Cameron in the most obvious place of all: the mirror... less

Riley Stone kissed Hope, Texas goodbye and good riddance eleven years ago, when she headed out to conquer the music world with a head full of dreams and a heart bruised by unrequited love. Now the alluring singer is back with one mission in mind-save the old music hall before Jackson Hope can tear it down. Long ago, Riley fell for Jackson-a skinny kid with worldly ways and a family who literally owned the town. But now the elder Hopes are letting their town fall apart... moreRiley Stone kissed Hope, Texas goodbye and good riddance eleven years ago, when she headed out to conquer the music world with a head full of dreams and a heart bruised by unrequited love. Now the alluring singer is back with one mission in mind-save the old music hall before Jackson Hope can tear it down. Long ago, Riley fell for Jackson-a skinny kid with worldly ways and a family who literally owned the town. But now the elder Hopes are letting their town fall apart. Signs of dilapidation are everywhere...except on the grown-up and strikingly sexy Jackson. As the two go toe-to-toe, Riley can't help but take notice. Jackson is having a hard enough time trying to pull the town out of bankruptcy without battling the girl who tormented him with desire through his high school years-especially when she's even more tempting than he remembers. And now he's going to have to choose between the life he planned, and a woman he finds unforgettable. less

Eleven years ago, Riley Stone left Hope, Texas with a head full of dreams about taking the music world by storm, and a heart shattered by unrequited love. Since then, she's developed some common sense about those dreams and a sense of humor about her long-ago infatuation with Jackson Hope, the scion of the town’s namesake family... moreEleven years ago, Riley Stone left Hope, Texas with a head full of dreams about taking the music world by storm, and a heart shattered by unrequited love. Since then, she's developed some common sense about those dreams and a sense of humor about her long-ago infatuation with Jackson Hope, the scion of the town’s namesake family. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be so happy to return to the tiny tourist town to sing blues in a nostalgia bar - that is, until she runs into Jackson and realizes that not so much has changed between them after all.With Jackson’s father wanting to tear down the town’s beloved dance hall to build a SaversMart, Riley unites the local artists and shop owners to save the historic landmark. Soon, Jackson finds himself caught between his desire to do the financially responsible thing for the town and his unwelcome desire for the bane of his existence – Riley Stone. Can they overcome all the old hurt, shocking scandals, and family secrets standing in the way to declare their love for each other, at last? Originally published in print as Unforgettable by Signet Eclipse. less